Helping Refugees Get Back On Their Feet
Comfortable, durable footwear is essential for any journey—but perhaps it matters most to those who have left everything behind as they were forced to flee danger with their families.
When we heard about the Everyday Refugees Foundation mission to empower refugees with skills and necessities, we were eager to help. This past winter, our KEEN Europe office based in The Netherlands donated insulated boots to help refugees in Serbia stay safe and warm, and this summer we sent 500 boxes of Yogui sandals to be distributed to refugees in Greece from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, so they could stay cooler.
Giving shoes to help people in need—whether to victims of a crisis or to volunteers lending a hand on the ground—is one of the most immediate ways we can step in and take action to make a positive impact. So far this year, KEEN has donated 8,000 pairs of shoes.
“Through our ‘Warmer Winter’ campaign in Serbia, we found out that footwear is one of the main essential things refugees need to keep warm and safe during their journey—to reach their final destination and while settling in,” says Rosanna Wijngaards, co-founder of Everyday Refugees Foundation. “Now in Greece, as the temperatures are rising, the sandals are so essential and needed to adjust with the weather.”
Giving shoes to help people in need—whether to victims of a crisis or to volunteers lending a hand on the ground—is one of the most immediate ways we can step in and take action to make a positive impact. So far this year, KEEN has donated 8,000 pairs of shoes, including 400 pairs of boots to disaster relief workers in Japan.
When it comes to supporting people in refugee camps, Rosanna says there is always a need for more protective footwear, adding that the climate and conditions can vary quite a bit from their previous camp or home country. In addition to quality footwear, Everyday Refugees Foundation has initiated campaigns to distribute newborn products, clothing, food, and personal hygiene products.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work together with KEEN and launch more powerful projects like these two initiatives in Serbia and Greece,” she says. “These contributions can make a real difference, not only physically but also psychologically.”
Want to join us by stepping in to lend a hand? You can make a donation to Everyday Refugees Foundation, so they can continue to make the lives of those affected by war, poverty, discrimination, and natural disasters better.